AI is rapidly transforming industries across the globe, and the food and beverage sector is no exception. As SMBs grapple with increasing competition and the need for operational efficiency, AI is emerging as a game-changer, enabling smarter decision-making, enhanced forecasting, and streamlined operations.
“AI is increasingly essential for businesses in the food and beverage sector. Companies that don’t get on board are likely to fall behind as their competitors adopt these technologies,” said Simon Jupe, managing director of Fishbowl APAC, a company that specialises in high-end inventory software.
AI’s primary function in industry is data consumption and analysis. It helps businesses process vast amounts of data to generate insights, which provides decision-makers with information to improve operations. However, Jupe notes that AI is still in its early stages, with many tools focused on supporting decision-making rather than automating processes outright.
“At the moment, AI is providing insights but it’s not yet making decisions on its own. What we’re seeing is a lot of data being processed and analysed to help people make better decisions,” he said.
This stage of AI development is already revolutionising traditional operations. Historically, businesses relied on spreadsheets to manage forecasting and planning. This was time-consuming and required significant manpower to maintain accurate models. However, AI is automating much of this work, offering businesses the ability to forecast future trends based on historical data.
Looking ahead, Jupe envisions AI taking over more operational tasks. He believes that the technology will not only assist with decision-making, but could also automate entire workflows and even create bespoke software tailored to the specific needs of a business.
“This will offer a competitive advantage, not just by reporting on data, but by enabling real-time adjustments and improvements to operations,” he said.
For smaller businesses, especially those in the small-to-medium (SMB) sector, AI presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While large corporations have the resources to bring in AI specialists, many SMBs need to balance the evolution of technology with the skills available within their workforce. Despite this challenge, Jupe remains optimistic about the transformative potential of AI for SMBs.
“AI technology is crucial for SMBs because it offers a way to level the playing field,” he said. “While large corporations have the capacity to bring in experts, smaller businesses can still leverage AI to gain insights and automate tasks, ultimately increasing their efficiency and profitability.”
Fishbowl’s expertise in inventory management, manufacturing, and food traceability is central to helping businesses embrace AI. By ensuring that data is collected and processed correctly, Fishbowl helps clients achieve operational efficiencies through AI-driven insights. The company is also working to deploy AI in ways that benefit the SMB market, particularly by improving workflows and forecasting capabilities.
“At Fishbowl, we’re constantly reviewing how AI technology can best serve our customers,” said Jupe. “For instance, using AI to refine product descriptions for e-commerce businesses or improving procurement forecasts are just a few ways AI is making a tangible difference.”
AI’s potential to transform the food and beverage industry goes beyond forecasting and product descriptions. With tools like Builder.ai, which can create enterprise applications based on prompts, AI is poised to revolutionise the way businesses operate by automating processes that once required human intervention.
“The future of AI in the food industry is fascinating,” said Jupe. “AI has the potential to significantly change the way we operate, and the possibilities are exciting. It’s all about finding ways to deploy the technology to drive real operational improvements.”
As the technology evolves, AI will play an even larger role in the food and beverage sector, reshaping how businesses manage everything from inventory and manufacturing to customer service and product innovation. The key, as Jupe said, is for businesses to stay ahead of the curve and embrace AI tools that can help them remain competitive in an increasingly digital world.
“Businesses that don’t keep up with AI risk being left behind,” he said. “As the technology continues to mature, it will become even more indispensable for maintaining efficiency and staying competitive in the market.”
AI is not just a buzzword in the food and beverage industry – it is a driving force behind innovation and efficiency, offering businesses the opportunity to enhance their operations and ultimately deliver better products to consumers. As Jupe said, the adoption of AI is no longer optional; it’s essential for businesses that want to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
CASE STUDIES
Fishbowl has helped an array of food and beverage companies streamline processes and enact efficiencies that have helped with their bottom lines. Here are a few examples.
Elevating Green Beacon Brewing
Green Beacon Brewing has risen to prominence with support from Fishbowl Inventory’s management software. The partnership began in 2018, marking a turning point for the Brisbane-based craft brewery.
Following the opening of a high-tech facility in Geebung in 2017 – featuring a centrifuge, reverse osmosis water filtration system, and “hot rocket” – the company tripled production and expanded interstate, even securing a partnership with Singapore Airlines. However, outdated manual systems hampered its growth, offering little control over production and costing.
“Fishbowl has been a game-changer for us,” said Lisa Coller, finance lead at Green Beacon.
“Before, batch costing was guesswork. Now, we have detailed insights that meet Asahi’s rigorous standards.”
With Fishbowl, Green Beacon gained real-time visibility into inventory, production, sales, and reporting. The integration streamlined logistics and enabled smarter decisions.
“If we want to know what’s sold by rep, state, or SKU, we have it instantly,” said Collier.
“Green Beacon’s success shows the value Fishbowl brings to accurate costing, standardised processes, and reporting tailored to business needs,” said Jupe.
In 2019, Green Beacon’s rapid growth attracted industry heavyweight Asahi, who acquired the brewery.
Today, Green Beacon has continued to innovate under Asahi’s craft portfolio.
The Fishbowl-Green Beacon partnership exemplifies how the right tools and teamwork drive success in an evolving market.
Strengthening supply chains
In March 2025, the Federal Government committed $3.5 million to the Feeding Australia initiative – designed to strengthen supply chains and reduce food price volatility.
But the food industry isn’t waiting. Many businesses are already turning to AI to boost efficiency, reduce waste, and manage supply chain disruptions. A March 2025 Food Engineering Reviews report highlights how AI is transforming food manufacturing with smarter, faster processes.
“The government’s investment in food security aligns with broader industry momentum,” said Jupe. “AI is arriving at a critical time, helping businesses overcome operational challenges and boost efficiency.”
Fishbowl’s AI-powered tools are already showing results. Hodo Foods, a plant-based food producer, faced supply chain issues and frequent stockouts before adopting Fishbowl’s AI Insights.
“Our old system was slow and reactive. Fishbowl changed that,” said Hodo Foods founder Minh Tsai. “We now use real-time data to make smart decisions, reduce waste, and improve operations.”
Since implementing Fishbowl, Hodo Foods has cut stockouts by 35 per cent and inventory costs by 28 per cent, while reporting is now 70 per cent faster, allowing for quicker decision-making and better forecasting.
“AI has transformed how we manage inventory,” added Tsai. “We’re more agile, efficient, and prepared for demand changes.”
AI is proving to be a key tool not just for tackling current challenges, but for building a more resilient food industry long-term.
How Pic’s went global with Fishbowl
Australia’s premium food sector is booming. CSIRO projects demand for luxury and novel food products will reach $2.8 billion by 2030, with exports growing from $1.1 billion to $1.7 billion.
For ambitious food manufacturers, now is the time to scale up and go global as long as the right infrastructure is in place.
Pic’s Peanut Butter is an example of this. Exporting worldwide, the company turned to Fishbowl to support its rapid growth and streamline operations.
Founded in 2012, Pic’s built a reputation for quality, but success has also brought complexity.
With growing demand, the team struggled to manage raw material imports, production, and distribution, relying heavily on spreadsheets for inventory. This led to inefficiencies, manual errors, and a lack of visibility.
“Before Fishbowl, we used Excel spreadsheets to manage inventory across multiple locations,” said Heath Bowman, operations manager at Pic’s. “It meant lots of manual entries and hours chasing errors.”
Its existing accounting software couldn’t keep up with inventory demands. There was no integrated purchasing system, making cost tracking and order management difficult.
Implementing Fishbowl changed the game.
The system seamlessly integrated with their existing software, managing everything from purchase orders to sales and work orders. It brought visibility, accuracy, and efficiency.
“An unexpected benefit was how Fishbowl immediately exposed where we were cutting corners,” Bowman added. “It helped tighten our systems.”
With Fishbowl in place, Pic’s now manages stock across multiple locations with ease. The system has freed up time for growth and allowed the team to focus on strategy and expansion.
For food makers looking to scale up, Pic’s story shows that passion and product quality are just the start. With powerful tools like Fishbowl, global success is within reach.